Top 10 TV Moms of All Time

Check out our favorite mothers from the small screen

Mother's Day is one time of year when we unabashedly celebrate all things Mom. From making us dinner to teaching us important life lessons, is there anything that mothers don't do? And while there's no guidebook to perfect parenting, there are certain qualities that make a mother stand out from the crowd. Here, we've rounded up our 10 favorite moms from the tube. From the no-nonsense Clair Huxtable to the futuristic Jane Jetson, this list will have you celebrating the mightiest moms in all of TV history.

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Character: Debra Barone

Actress: Patricia Heaton

Sitcom: Everybody Loves Raymond
Anyone who can deal with in-laws who live across the street, a husband who does next to nothing around the house and three rambunctious kids (including twin boys!) is sure to get our vote for top mom. Debra was a tough-as-nails mom who may not have been the best cook on the block, but she stood up for herself and passed good values on to her children—even against all odds. Photo: Retna

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Character: Carol Brady

Actress: Florence Henderson

Sitcom:The Brady Bunch
Juggling three daughters of her own and three stepsons from husband Mike may not sound like that much of a good time, but Carol Brady always kept things lively. She was a bit of a Renaissance mom; in addition to the typical household responsibilities, she was also a sculptor, writer, singer and political activist—showing her daughters there's nothing a woman can't do. Photo: Retna

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Character: Clair Huxtable

Actress: Phylicia Rashad

Sitcom: The Cosby Show
As the working mother of an ever-growing Brooklyn brood, Clair Huxtable is one of the classiest women on this list. Despite all the stress she encountered as an established attorney in New York City, she somehow managed to always have a witty joke and valuable life lessons for her kids and husband, Cliff. Photo: Retna

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Character: Jane Jetson

Actress (voice): Penny Singleton

Sitcom: The Jetsons
"Jane his wife," might have been at the end of The Jetsons theme song, but Jane will always be our favorite thing about the popular animated show. Though she only had to press a button for dinner to appear, she was a devoted mom to Judy and Elroy, and a member of The Galaxy Women Historical Society—a true woman of the future. Photo: Retna

Character: Norma Arnold

Actress: Alley Mills

Sitcom: The Wonder Years
This mother of three was a true mediator between her free-spirited kids and their traditional father. The all-American mom set the bar high by going back to college to finish her degree before landing a job with Micro Electronics—definitely not the norm for a 1960s housewife. Photo: Alan Light / Flickr.com

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Character: Harriette Winslow

Actress: JoMarie Payton and Judyann Elder

Sitcom: Family Matters
Putting up with Steve Urkel was a tough job, especially for someone who wasn't related to him, but Mrs. Winslow always managed to be supportive of the sometimes overbearing nerd next door. Her strength shone through especially bright when she juggled her family responsibilities with trying to find a new job—a true test of motherhood. Photo: Retna

Character: Tami Taylor

Actress: Connie Britton

Sitcom: Friday Night Lights
As the football coach's wife, the principal of Dillon High School and mother of two girls, Tami Taylor has a lot on her plate. However, she always seems to be in the right place at the right time, soothing the coach or offering sage advice to her students under the watchful eyes of those who reside in the small Texas town. Photo: Retna

Character: Elyse Keaton

Actress: Meredith Baxter

Sitcom:Family Ties
This former hippie was a mother to four kids while juggling her work-from-home career as an architect. She always had an easy smile and tried to keep hold of the liberalism of the '60s while living in the conservative fervor of 1980s America. Photo: Retna

Character: Laura Petrie

Actress: Mary Tyler Moore

Sitcom: The Dick Van Dyke Show
This beloved stay-at-home mom did all of the cooking, cleaning and laundry while raising son Ritchie. She also started the capri pants craze of the 1960s and kept her home a happy place by constantly consoling her TV show producer husband through his weekly mishaps. Photo: Retna

Character: Donna Stone

Actress: Donna Reed

Sitcom: The Donna Reed Show
Donna Stone may have seemed like the typical 1950s housewife, but she shared an especially affectionate relationship with her husband—the portrayal of which was unusual for the times. Her picture-perfect family included kids Mary and Jeff, and her role as a nurse and community organizer kept her busy outside the home as well. Photo: Jerry Murbach / Dr. Macro